Volkswagen has officially unveiled the new ID. Polo GTI, the first fully electric car in the brand’s history to use the iconic GTI badge.
Revealed during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the electric performance hatchback celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first Golf GTI and marks a new chapter for the German automaker’s high-performance lineup.
The ID. Polo GTI uses a front-mounted electric motor producing 223 horsepower and 290 Nm of torque, enabling a 0–100 km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds, although top speed is electronically limited to 175 km/h.
The model features an electronic front differential, adaptive sport suspension, and a dedicated GTI driving mode developed to deliver a more aggressive and dynamic driving experience. According to Volkswagen, the car has also been lowered compared to the standard ID. Polo to improve handling.
Visually, the hatchback retains classic GTI design cues, including red accents on the bodywork, 19-inch wheels, sport seats with a pattern inspired by the traditional tartan plaid, and illuminated GTI badges.
The 52 kWh battery provides an estimated range of up to 424 kilometers under the WLTP cycle. The system supports fast charging up to 105 kW, allowing the battery to recharge from 10% to 80% in around 24 minutes.
Inside, Volkswagen highlighted the return of physical buttons for key controls, moving away from some of the fully touch-sensitive controls criticized in earlier ID models. However, the car still maintains modern features, including a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment display.
The ID. Polo GTI will go on sale in Germany in the second half of 2026, with prices starting at around €39,000. Volkswagen stated that the launch of the model does not mean the end of combustion-powered GTIs, and that the traditional Golf GTI will continue to be produced in the coming years.
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Photos: Volkswagen. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
